New road schemes welcomed08 May 2012

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DfT to develop six major road schemes and go ahead with two more

The RAC Foundation has welcomed news that the £109 million Kinskerswell Bypass in Devon has been given the go ahead. Work should start later this month and when complete by December 2015 traffic through the village will be cut by 90%.

The DfT also announced work would start on a £34 million dual carriageway south east of Corby – the A43 link road. This will open in January 2014.

Both schemes were amongst 20 given initial approval in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement at the end of 2011.

The Department has also said it will fund development of six more major schemes so that they are ready for consideration for inclusion in the next spending period (starting in 2015). They are:

M4 Junctions 3-12 managed motorway scheme; Thames Valley

M25 Junction 30 / A13 congestion relief scheme, Thurrock;

A19/A1058 Coast Road Junction improvement; North Tyneside

A21 Tonbridge – Pembury widening; Kent

A63 Castle Street improvements, Hull; and

A160/A180 improvements, Immingham

According to the DfT:

“The development work will focus on designing and consulting on proposals, along with progressing any necessary statutory processes. Today’s announcement also marks the conclusion of a review process for four schemes – including the M4 J3-12 managed motorway scheme – from the 2010 Spending Review.

“The M3 Junctions 2-4a managed motorway scheme has already been added to the roads programme with a start of work date of 2013/14. The two remaining proposals, the M20 Junction 10a and M54 to M6/M6 Toll link road, will continue to be considered for future delivery along with other schemes. Those proposals not selected at this time to have their development work advanced are still good schemes that address clear problems, and the Department will continue to work with key stakeholders to drive down costs and maximise public value for money.”

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said:

“This is great news, not just for the drivers and residents whose lives will be improved, but also for the wider economy. The Foundation had already identified most of these schemes as offering great value for money and it was pleasing to see that the schemes going forward were assessed by the Department ‘according to their economic case (Benefit Cost Ratio), how well they fit strategically with the needs of the network and the economy, and their readiness for construction.'”